Seven Newfoundland and Labrador companies will travel to Ireland for the week of March 2-7 to participate in a trade mission. They will be accompanied by officials of the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development (INTRD) which is co-ordinating the mission.

"There is a momentum building between Newfoundland and Labrador and Ireland. This trade mission is just one of five initiatives planned for this year to strengthen economic and cultural ties," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "These initiatives signify the growing relationships between Ireland and the province. They enable participants to target new opportunities and build upon existing relationships."

This year�s events include two Government of Newfoundland and Labrador-led trade missions to Ireland and two buyers� missions to the province � one mission is in cultural products and another in building products. An ocean-related trade mission to Newfoundland and Labrador from Ireland is additionally scheduled for late-2008.

The companies participating in the current mission include Northstar Technical (St. John�s), Atlantic North (St. John�s), Tuckamore Lodge (Main Brook), Learning Vacations (Corner Brook), Tacamor Call Centre (Placentia), Gander Flight Training (Gander), and Notus Electronics Ltd. (St. John�s).

"The department helps arrange meetings between Irish and Newfoundland and Labrador companies," said Barbara Genge of Tuckamore Lodge. "When you are on missions in a foreign country where time is short and precious, having an experienced network of people on the ground that can help set up meetings with potential clients is invaluable."

Tuckamore Lodge and Learning Vacations are located on the province�s west coast and are interested in promoting Newfoundland and Labrador as a tourist destination with an airport at Deer Lake that has direct flights to the UK.

The two St. John�s marine technology companies Northstar Technical and Notus Electronics, will travel to Galway to attend the Irish Skipper Expo, a fishery trade show that will have more then 70 companies exhibiting.

The trade mission is organized jointly by the trade division of INTRD and the Ireland Business Partnership (IBP). INTRD�s trade division helps companies focus on export development, helps identify prospects, helps prepare companies to do business in foreign countries, and provides funding to assist with travel costs.

The IBP has an annual budget of $500,000 and assists companies and organizations identify and develop economic, cultural, and educational opportunities with Ireland. The IBP also promotes strategic business alliances through marketing agreements, joint ventures and technology transfer opportunities, and develops linkages between the public and private sectors in Newfoundland and Labrador and Ireland.

Atlantic North Development Corporation is a St. John�s-based company that works in transportation infrastructure development and financing, supply chain development and management, and local, regional and international aviation (airline and airport) sales, marketing and consulting

GFT Aerospace Technologies is located in Gander and is engaged in aerospace manufacturing, maintenance, repairs and overhauls. The company also offers professional flight training, aircraft charter, and sales and service.

Learning Vacations is an initiative of Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook. It offers educational packages in a range of subjects during which visitors are exposed to Western Newfoundland�s vibrant culture, rich heritage, outstanding natural geography and spectacular scenery.

Northstar Technical Inc. of St. John�s is a development and manufacturing company specializing in underwater wireless communications systems used in the fishery, oil and gas, defence, and other ocean-related industries. The company�s NETMIND� Trawl Monitor System is used extensively in the commercial fishing industry. Northstar also offers advanced electronic contract manufacturing.

Notus Electronics Ltd. of St. John�s is a developer and manufacturer of advanced net monitoring solutions for the commercial fishing industry. The company strives to offer reliable, affordable, products for all size of vessels. While its head office is in Newfoundland and Labrador, the company also has a branch office in the United Kingdom.

Tacamor of Placentia is an outsource contact centre service provider that can serve client�s customers around the clock. Tacamor�s Newfoundland base is closely aligned linguistically and culturally with Ireland making Newfoundland a good location for an outsource contact centre service provider.

Tuckamore Lodge is a modern hunting, fishing and wilderness adventure destination located at Main Brook in western Newfoundland. Tuckamore�s unique geography, distinctive culture and rare natural wonders allow visitors to reconnect with nature or experience a way of life steeped in centuries of tradition.

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